Frost Dates for 29690 — Travelers Rest, South Carolina

Half of springs at Caesars Head, SC see their last 32°F night by April 10; only one in ten is past it by March 24, and one in ten still has one after April 28. Planting tender crops after April 17 leaves a 30% risk of a frost on them, after April 22 20%, and after April 28 10%. The 18 days between the even-odds date and the one-in-ten date is wider than at 77% of the 105 South Carolina stations behind this site's ZIP pages.

In fall the first 32°F night comes by November 2 in half of years, as early as October 22 one year in ten, and holds off past November 16 one year in ten. A hard freeze of 28°F follows 10 days later, around November 12; in spring the one-in-ten date for 28°F is April 16, 12 days before the 32°F one. The freeze-free season lasts 206 days in a typical year, shorter than at 92% of the 105 South Carolina stations; it reaches 228 days one year in ten and falls short of 186 one year in ten. On average 78 nights a year drop to 32°F or below. Nights of 36°F, when frost can still settle on leaves in low, open spots, continue 12 days longer, to about April 22, and return around October 25. Severe cold of 16°F or below comes in 99% of winters, usually between December 27 and February 18.

July is the warmest month at Caesars Head, SC, averaging 78°F by day and 64°F at night; January is the coldest at 45°F and 28°F. A freezing night is all but certain in every month from November to March (a 90% chance or more). From May to September the chance of a 32°F night stays under 10% each month. In spring, April still brings one in 77% of years.

Warmth for growing adds up to 3,132 growing degree days a year (base 50°F), fewer than at 99% of the 105 South Carolina stations. 38% of them (1,177) have built up by the end of June, and July adds the most, 643. Precipitation totals 74.1 inches a year, most in December (7.1") and least in February (4.8"); May to September bring 45% of it.

The nearest other station, Greenville Dwtn Airport, SC, 13 miles south of Travelers Rest and 2,152 feet lower, has a last frost 25 days earlier (March 16), a first frost 18 days later (November 20), a season 44 days longer.

Measurable snow is rare here: only 6 of 20 winters from 1991 to 2020 recorded 0.1 inch or more at Travelers Rest 2NE, SC, 3 miles away, so there is no typical first-snow date to plan around.

ZIP 29690 is 13 miles from Caesars Head, SC, which stands at 3,200 feet, the nearest NOAA station that publishes freeze probabilities for 1991–2020. 1 other ZIP code shares the station. The 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map lists ZIP 29690 in zone 8a, the band where the coldest night of the year averaged 10 to 15°F (-12.2 to -9.4°C) over 1991–2020; a zone describes winter lows, not frost dates.